A limited edition Barbie doll has been made in the likeness of Matildas star, Mary Fowler.
Fowler is one of nine international female athletes to be honoured with a doll in their image — they include tennis player Venus Williams, French boxer Estelle Mossely, Canadian goalscorer Christine Sinclair and Polish sprinter Ewa Swoboda.
Fowler collaborated with Barbie to create a “mini Mary”, which replicates certain familiar physical traits belonging to the 21-year old — including her signature segmented high pony-tail.
Fowler said she wanted to have her doll replicate the moments she feels most confident — “and that for me is when I’m on the pitch playing football.”
“During the design process, it was really cool working with the team to ensure my look was brought to life in my Barbie,” Fowler said.
“Being a positive influence, and seeing young girls recreate my look has been so special, and to finally hold my doll and see her wear my bubble braid, my gloves and even my boots, made my Barbie doll unique and connected to me.”
The Matildas attacker —who has been with Manchester City since last year’s World Cup, admitted to being “speechless” when she saw her doll for the first time.
“I never would have thought that I’d have a Barbie that looks just like me,” she said.
“There are so many other incredible women that have been Barbie dolls, and I just never would have thought that I would be up there with them. I’m just super grateful and honoured to be part of this.”
The other athletes to be honoured with a replicate Barbie of themselves are Spanish paratriathlon athlete Susana Rodriguez, Italian swimmer Federica Pellegrini, Rebeca Andrade —a gymnast from Brazil and Alexa Moreno of Mexico, who became the first Mexican female gymnast to win a medal at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in 2018.
Krista Berger, Senior Vice President of Barbie and Global Head of Dolls at Mattel said in a statement: “Barbie is thrilled to continue the brand’s 65th-anniversary celebration by recognising the impact of sports in fostering self-confidence, ambition, and empowerment among the next generation.”
“We are proud to continue fueling the momentum surrounding women in sports…the dolls serve as an embodiment of our shared values of passion, empowerment and individuality. By shining a light on these inspirational athletes and their stories, we hope to champion the belief that every young girl deserves the opportunity to pursue her passions and turn her dreams into reality.”
It’s not the first time Mattel has honoured iconic women through their dolls. Previous limited edition dolls have been made in the image of Naomi Osaka, Mariah Carey, Kylie Minogue and Tina Turner.
In a statement upon the release of her Barbie, Venus Williams said she is “honoured to be recognised as a sports role model and join forces with Team Barbie to continue empowering the next generation of young girls to never stop believing in their dreams.”
“Throughout my career, I’ve always been driven by the idea of shattering glass ceilings and staying true to myself, and Barbie’s mission couldn’t resonate more deeply with that ethos,” she said.
“I want other young girls to have that invaluable experience of playing a sport and what it teaches you and what you learn and what you take from it, not just that moment [but] for the rest of your life … I think it’s so important for girls to be in sports.”
Last month, in honour of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the US, Mattel released a limited edition Barbie of Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi.
In 1992, Yamaguchi won an Olympic gold medal for ice skating at Albertville in France, becoming the first Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) competitor to take home a gold in any sport in the Winter Games.